Thursday, January 8, 2015

We have reached the end of our year long challenge, and what a year it was! As a 3xR participant I can say that it has been challenging and liberating. Having the restriction of only using what we had in our studios in terms of materials was a terrific limitation. It forced us all to reassess some pieces that had remained unfinished, languishing somewhat, unloved and forgotten. In the reassessment some became adapted and others just got finished.

Secondly, it helped us address our stash of rocks and gems. And finally, it fostered experimentation and diversification. A success all round I'd say.

I will leave you will some of the highlights from our 3xR 2014 Challenge. You can find them all on our Flickr group page here.

3xR 2014

In the meantime, hands up who wants to start a new challenge for 2015? I have it on good authority that a new challenge has indeed begun. Check back soon to see what our intrepid Etsy Metal Team members have cooked up for 2015.

Friday, January 2, 2015

The monthly challenge set a month ago was taken up by 4 EtsyMetal team members, starting with Rebecca Bogan of Adobe Sol. You can view more of her work here.

She says, "This pendant features very vintage hand-painted porcelain button. I've accented the button with quartz, fine silver, 14K gold in a sterling silver setting. This is my favorite theme of art jewelry as it brings something from the past in to modern day presented in a unique piece of jewelry."

Pierced detail on the back.

Check out this serene beauty from L.Sue Szabo who says "this stone is over 50 yrs old! I was given a little stash by the widow of an old stone collector who died a long time ago. She just found his old stone stash and gave it to me. I wanted to make a really modern, new looking ring to bring the old amethyst into 2015." More from Sue here.

Markaplan just wanted to add his 'two cents worth'....in the form of apair of earrings made from two old pennies (USA one cent coins)....you'd never guess! Mark also made a 2nd entry for the challenge;

Surely the key to someone's heart?

Finally, this timeless piece by Anna from Severin Minerals. "Here's mine I totally spaced it! I decided to work in 14k gold which has been a while. It was old gold too that I had since the 90's. "

*****THE CHALLENGE FOR NEXT MONTH*****

....is

"TOYS and GAMES"

Christmas is over for another year and lucky kids have new toys to play with...perhaps the adults have too! Design and make jewelry which is inspired in some way by a favourite toy or game, it could be something colourful and modern, something old and vintage, a 20th Century classic or perhaps something less well known from another culture. Think about the materials you use.

The Landlord's Game/Courtesy Thomas E. Forsyth. Image courtesy of Courtesy of The Strong, Rochester, New York.

You can submit to the challenge too! Simply post good images of your creation into your own Flickr or Pinterest account, with description and your name, then post the link to your submission in the comments at the bottom of this post, to have it included here on the blog.